Chương 309: Chapter 1197: How On Earth Did You Endure This? (Part 2)
It may be a stereotype, but isn't there such a thing?
The common expectations when the leader of a group or organization changes, and a young person takes the position.
Of course, there may be concerns, but if there are no problems in the process, people generally expect the new blood to bring vitality, broad aspirations, and the like.
However, this was...
Tang Gunak's eyes trembled.
'My uncle in Sichuan would be much more energetic than these guys.'
Now, he was an old man whose mind wavered too much due to his age, but still, wouldn't he be better than these sick chickens?
What made him even more irritated was the fact that the Deputy Sect Leader, whose handsome face had now faded to the point where it became unsightly, was the one who had recently heated up Tang Gunak'sheart in his confrontation with Beopjeong.
'I can't understand those Mount Hua guys. I can't understand at all...'
The thought of dealing with people like Chung Myung, who went back and forth between a ruthless swordsman and a crazy asshole, or Baek Cheon, who went back and forth between the devoted future Sect Leader, for whom Mount Hua harbored high expectations, and the village idiot Dong Ryong...
The thought of discussing the Heavenly Comrade Alliance's affairs with these people made Tang Gunak already feel the vacant seat left by Hyun Jong piercing through him like an ice pick.
"So... uh..."
Tang Gunak, who couldn't keep his mouth shut any longer, hesitantly opened his mouth.
"You called this meeting, right?"
"Yes?"
"This meeting, right?"
"...Yes, it was me."
"..."
At that moment, Tang Gunak realized why there was so much violence in Mount Hua.
Living together with guys like these, wouldn't fists naturally come before words?
"Ah... ah, yes. I... yes, it was me."
"..."
"So, the reason I gathered you all is... um..."
Baek Cheon tilted his head.
"...What was it again?"
And at that moment, Tang Gunak saw it.
Chung Myung's face, which had been alternating between anger and melancholy, distorted like a demon as if possessed.
Without a doubt, Tang Gunak had never witnessed such a terrifying sight in his life. Even if the Heavenly Demon were to descend in front of him, he would not feel this kind of fear.
"...There was a reason."
"Hey, you!"
Just as Chung Myung started to roll his eyes and convulse, The Five Swords, who had been waiting in anticipation, leaped forward as if waiting and covered his mouth, pressing him down.
Even Hye Yeon, who usually only clicked his tongue out behind him, was startled and leaned over Chung Myung's chest with his bald head.
"Chung Myung! It's Deputy Sect Leader, Sect Leader!"
"Other people are watching!"
"Shut your mouth! Close your mouth; if you say the wrong thing here, you'll truly be dragged into repentance!"
"Hold him straight!"
Watching this scene in dismay, Tang Gunak unconsciously covered his face with both hands and lowered his head.
'Is this really okay?'
Wouldn't it be better to join hands with the Ten Great Sects now? Even the family members who vehemently opposed joining before, if they saw this with their own eyes, would think, 'Isn't Shaolin still a prestigious sect that boasts a history and tradition?' and run towards Song Mountain without looking back.
At that moment, Yoo Iseol, who had been blankly staring, tapped Baek Cheon's head, offering him a water bottle filled with cold water.
"Drink."
"...Ah."
Baek Cheon's face, which had lost its color, gradually regained its hue as he gulped down the cold water in one go. It was quite a fascinating sight. Just by controlling unruling facial expressions, the person seemed different.
"I'm sorry. I'm not feeling well."
"Were you ever well?"
"Yes?"
"...Never mind."
Tang Gunak gnawed at his lips. It seemed he picked up a habit of speaking like those damn Mount Hua guys.
Baek Cheon cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
"The reason I gathered the various leaders is to discuss what the Heavenly Comrade Alliance should prioritize first."
"To discuss..."
Watching silently, Tang Gunak nodded slightly and said.
"It would be nice if the meaning were precise, Deputy Sect Leader. Is it a suggestion to decide on the most important task first? Or is it about discussing the method for what you've already decided?"
"The meaning is closer to the latter."
"Hmm."
Tang Gunak's expression subtly changed.
If it were Hyun Jong, he wouldn't have spoken in this way. Hyun Jong would listen to others' opinions before deciding on something. But Baek Cheon suggested discussing what he had already decided.
While it could be attributed to a difference in temperament, it still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Then Baek Cheon said.
"Oh, please don't misunderstand."
"Hmm?"
Whether he sensed Tang Gunak's mood or not, Baek Cheon calmly elaborated.
"I am just Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, not the Deputy Lord of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. What I am saying is not representing the decision as the Lord of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, but merely presenting the opinion of Mount Hua as the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua."
"Hmm."
"The authority to make decisions has always belonged to the Maengju-nim, as it should. Please don't think that my words represent the opinions of the Maengju-nim."
It meant that this was not a proclamation made from a high position but a suggestion made from a low position. In detail, the practical authority held by the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua was lower than that of Tang Gunak, who held the vice leader position of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and was equal to that of the other sects.
However...
"Deputy Sect Leader, from our standpoint, it's not easy to think that way. First of all, the fact that Maengju-nim and you belong to the same sect..."
"Would Maengju-nim prioritize my opinion?"
"...Understood."
Tang Gunak immediately nodded. If it were anyone else, maybe, but Hyun Jong would never do such a thing. Hyun Jong's generosity and fairness were beyond doubt, right?
Moreover, although Hyun Jong believed in his disciples to an absurd extent...
"He's probably the one who dislikes his own disciples the most in the whole world."
More precisely, it might be better to say that he understood the madness his disciples possessed better than anyone else... anyway.
So, there wouldn't be any special consideration paid to Mount Hua's opinions.
"But if that happens, Mount Hua will be treated as a single sect with the same speaking rights as other sects. Is that okay?"
"It's only natural."
Baek Cheon immediately replied as if there was nothing to think about.
"It should have been like that from the beginning. That's what the Heavenly Comrade Alliance is about. The reason it seemed like Mount Hua was actively leading was simply that the Lord of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance held the position of Sect Leader of Mount Hua. If the Gaju-nim ascended to the position of the Lord, then the Tang Family would take on that role."
"Hmm."
"Mount Hua has no intention of demanding privileges from the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. After all, doesn't our ideal foundation revolve around equality for everyone?"
Tang Gunak's mouth curled up involuntarily.
'Exactly...'
The reason people can become indifferent to power is because they are not attached to the power they can have. Ultimately, this means that no matter how detached a person is from power, they are reluctant to let go of the power they already enjoy.
Power is essentially comfort.
Why reject the comfort given and choose discomfort if no one is blaming you? If there is no blame, there is even less need to do so.
But now, Baek Cheon was saying that Mount Hua would willingly give up its implicit superior rights and positions it had in the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
It might have been because he was young, but even then, it looked impressive.
"Is that Mount Hua's opinion?"
"Yes, Gaju-nim."
"Hmm. That's a good thing. Indeed, young people are different."
Tang Gunak, who nodded his head, suddenly made a strange expression and said.
"...But there seems to be someone who thinks differently from you?"
"Yes?"
At that remark, Baek Cheon glanced to his side.
"Ugh! Ugh!"
Chung Myung, pressed down by The Five Swords, was wriggling with bloodshot eyes. His eyes, filled with venom and hatred, seemed to be shouting, 'What right did that bastard earn to just drop that as he pleases! You Southern Edge bastard! Get the hell out of Mount Hua!'
"Ugh! Ugh!"
"Stay still!"
"Someone go and get a rope quickly!"
"R-rope?"
"Not a straw rope, but an iron one! What are we going to do by tying him up with a straw rope!"
"No, where are we supposed to get an iron rope right away..."
The Five Swords desperately tried to suppress the struggling Chung Myung. In the midst of the bizarre and terrifying scene, a bitter smile appeared on Baek Cheon's lips.
"Gaju-nim."
"Hmm?"
Baek Cheon, who quickly looked away, spoke to Tang Gunak with a very relaxed tone.
"You don't have to worry him."
"...Is, is that so?"
"Yes. I am speaking as the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua. I find it hard to understand why you are concerned about the reaction of a mere third-class disciple."
"Cough, cough."
Tang Gunak, who had swallowed his saliva at the moment, coughed heavily.
"M-mere third-class disciple?"
"Don't worry about it. He is just one of the many third-class disciples of Mount Hua. He knows a bit about the sword, so we let him attend, but he's still just a mere third-class disciple who is completely unrelated to Mount Hua's official position, so you can just pretend he's not here."
"Uh..."
"What's more important, the opinion of the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua, or the opinion of a 'mere' third-class disciple?"
"T-that, well... no, it's okay... it should be... it has to be..."
"Haha. Isn't it too obvious?"
Tang Gunak saw it. Baek Cheon, who had asked the question softly, glanced at Chung Myung with a slight smile.
Seeing that face, Chung Myung started convulsing. Then, white foam bubbled up soon, and he began to shake violently.
"Ugh..."
As Chung Myung made a strange noise, flipped his eyes, and fell, the room fell silent. It seemed to last very long as he lay twitching and convulsing intermittently.
'I-Is this okay?'
Of course, it was correct. No matter how strong Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword was, in terms of status, he was just one of the third-class disciples of Mount Hua. Considering formality and principles, it was normal for him not to have speaking rights in such a situation.
'But still, he's Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?'
Was this really okay?
"If I speak as the Deputy Sect Leader of Mount Hua..."
"Hmm?"
"The most important move for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance now is to carry out its will and prove that it is different from the Ten Great Sects."
"R-right."
"So, Mount Hua suggests to other sect leaders to immediately select their personnel and depart for Souther Island Sect. The goal is to break through Gangnam as quickly as possible and reach Southern Island within three days without delay."
"W-well, that's a bit urgent..."
"Only those who are confident in their martial arts skills are invited to join. If no one joins, Mount Hua will head to Southern Island alone."
Silence filled the air. Baek Cheon, who had finished speaking, smiled slyly.
"That is all."
At that moment, Tang Gunak realized. The fact that Beopjeong wasn't the only victim of this crazy Deputy Sect Leader.
The pain in Tang Gunak's head began to return.
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